Role of Service Learning Activities: Assessing and Enhancing Food Security in Low-Income Families

Duerr, Lynn

Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, v99 n4 p9-14 2007

Many low-income families are at risk for food insecurity. In addition, with the aging of America, multigenerational families are becoming more prevalent, resulting in excessive strain and burden on the resources of low-income families. Family and consumer sciences educators need to teach their students about factors that contribute to food insecurity. Service learning activities, in which the skills and concepts learned in the classroom are applied to real-life situations, represent one method that could be used to maximize students' learning potential in this area. These activities allow students to develop an understanding of the factors involved in food security as well as providing benefits to participants from local service agencies.